Despite COVID-19, Vietnam stands out as a relentlessly booming economy by being the only country in Southeast Asia to bypass a recession. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts Vietnam's GDP growth will reach 6.5% in 2021, higher than the 6% average growth rate of the world, and hit 7.2% in 2022.

Do you long for success in such a dynamic business environment packed with opportunities? A Vietnam business visa is just what you need to kick start your business trip in the S-shaped country. 

Visa2Asia will outline everything you need to know about a Vietnam business visa and our visa application services as well as additional arrival supports. Let’s begin!

What is a Vietnam business visa?

Vietnam business visa, also known as Vietnam DN visa, is a short-stay visa allowing foreigners to enter Vietnam for temporary work or a short business trip and remain in the country for 12 months maximum. Below is how a Vietnam business visa looks like. 

Types of Vietnam business visa

Officially, there are two types of Vietnam business visa:

DN1 visa: If you visit Vietnam to work with companies or organizations operating in the country legally, you will be granted a DN1 visa.

DN2 visa: If you enter Vietnam to promote services, commercial presence, or perform other business activities internationally, you will be granted a DN2 visa.

The number of entries and validity

Based on the number of entries and length of stay, you can apply for the following types of business visas: 

Note: Vietnam business visa is exempted for those coming from Vietnam Visa Exemption Countries.

What are the requirements for a Vietnam business visa?

Getting a DN visa is nothing complicated. Make sure you follow the Vietnam business visa requirements and prepare all of these documents:

• Valid passport with at least 2 blank pages left for the visa stamp and 06 months validity 
• Passport-sized photos as follow to the visa photo requirements
• NA2 form of consideration and inspection of personnel of foreigners entering Vietnam
• NA5 visa application form
• Valid work permit in Vietnam. Unless you don’t fall into one of the cases of work permit exemption in Vietnam, a labor exemption certificate must be provided

Other additional required documents include:

• A sponsorship or invitation letter from the licensed company in Vietnam if you apply at the local embassy or consulate in your country
• NA16 registration form for the seal and the signature of the legal representative of the enterprise operating in Vietnam (if you are sponsored by the company)
• Other mandatory documents prescribed by Vietnam’s Authorities depending on your business activities conducting in Vietnam (if any)

How to apply for a Vietnam business visa?

After you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can apply for a Vietnam business visa in 2 ways.

Apply for a Vietnam Business Visa On Arrival

You can conveniently apply for a business visa on arrival online. All you need to do is provide your personal information and travel details on an online application form. A sponsorship letter from the inviting company is not mandatory. 

Apply directly to the Vietnam embassy/consulate

You can apply by yourself to the nearest Vietnam embassy/consulate in your country.

Make sure you contact the embassy/consulate for guidance before submitting your application. You will be required to provide a sponsorship or invitation letter from your inviting company or business partner. Depending on the embassy/consulate you apply to, the business visa processing time may vary, but it should not exceed 2 weeks.

Why choosing Visa2Asia Vietnam business visa service?

Are you on the hunt for a time-saving and traveler-friendly Vietnam business visa application service?

Then go for our excellent online Vietnam business visa on arrival services that facilitate you to achieve a business visa easily in only three steps:

Step 1: Fill in the Vietnam business visa on arrival application form online and upload a scanned copy of your passport.

Step 2: Make online payment for the service fee through PayPal or your bank account. 

Step 3: After you have submitted your passport and paid the service fee, we will proceed with your application and email you the approval letter for the business visa on arrival within 2 days. This letter allows you to get the business visa stamped on your passport at the arrival airport.

How much is the Vietnam business visa fee?

The Vietnam business visa cost varies based on your chosen way of application. 

If you apply directly at the Vietnam embassy/consulate in your country, the fee depends on how much the embassy charges and the type of visa you select.

You will be charged the service fee and the stamping fee if you opt for a business visa on arrival. You can pay the service cost online through your bank account, while the stamping fee must be paid in cash at the airport’s visa counter (USD or VND).

Why choosing Visa2Asia airport supporting services upon arrival?

We don’t just stop at helping you acquire a business visa in Vietnam. We make the entry process at the airport as easy and fast as possible for our beloved customers.

To ensure you have the most delightful arrival to Vietnam and get your visa at the airport as fast as possible, our on-arrival supporting services are highly recommended.

Airport fast track service

You have arrived at the airport after a long flight with your visa approval letter. You quickly get to the visa counter just to find that in front of you is a very long queue waiting to get their visas stamped. Sounds familiar?

Why wait tediously just to get a visa sticker when you can save your precious time by choosing our excellent airport fast-track services. Don’t let the hassle stands in your way and go for one of these 2 options to have a fast entry in Vietnam:

Normal fast-track: Our staff will wait at the visa counter holding the welcome board with your name. Once you have reached our staff, you will be assisted in getting the visa sticker swiftly without having to wait in lines. 

VIP fast-track: A staff will stand at the visa counter with your name on the welcome board to help you get the visa stamp speedily without queuing. After that, our staff will keep you accompanied and escort you quickly through a private line at the passport control gate. Finally, you will be guided to the luggage lounge and get assisted in picking up your suitcases.

Airport car pick-up service

Once you have got your visa and all your belongings, there is no need to book a taxi to get to your place. It sometimes results in being overcharged. 

Why not sit back and enjoy a delightful ride to your destination with our airport pick-up service. A comfy private vehicle will be ready outside the airport to whisk you off to your accommodation or desired address. 

Have a great business trip to Vietnam!

Don’t hesitate to apply for a Vietnam business visa through Visa2Asia.  We provide exceptional visa services and the additional airport supports to have a smooth business trip to Vietnam. All procedures will be carried out quickly and seamlessly without any hassle. Contact us now!

FAQs

1. How long does it take to get a Vietnam business visa?

The processing time may vary depending on the way you apply for a Vietnam business visa. It takes about 5-6 working days if you apply at the embassy or consulate. Whereas if you apply online, you will get the visa approval letter within 48 hours. 

2. What is a DN visa in Vietnam?

Vietnam DN visa is the other name for Vietnam business visa granted to foreigners who come to Vietnam for business.

3. Can I apply for a Vietnam business e-visa?

Vietnam has not yet accepted an e-visa for the business visa application. You can only apply for an e-visa for a tourist visa. 

4. Can I change my tourist visa to a business visa when I’m in Vietnam?

You are not allowed to change from a tourist visa to a business visa in Vietnam. 

5. How do I extend my business visa in Vietnam?

To prolong your stay without leaving Vietnam, you should apply for a business visa extension directly at the country embassy. Steps to follow are:

Step 1: Prepare the required documents: 

• Vietnam business visa extension form
• Original business visa or temporary residence card
• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• Sponsorship or invitation letter from the licensed company in Vietnam
• Temporary residence permit or confirmation of temporary residence registration at the commune police station
• A document written by the inviting company explaining the reason for visa extension

Step 2: Submit all the documents to the embassy and pay the business visa extension fee.

Step 3: Get the visa extension result after 5-7 business days. 

6. Can I extend my Vietnam business visa for 6 more months?

No, you can not. The maximum extended validity period for a Vietnam business visa is 3 months. 

 Vietnam never ceases to captivate millions of foreign visitors worldwide. Many nationalities are required to have a valid visa before entering Vietnam, and Canadian citizens are not an exception. So if you are from Canada and want to obtain a Vietnam visa, this article is for you. 

Why do Canadians need a visa to enter Vietnam?

Vietnam has signed bilateral or unilateral visa exemption agreements with 88 countries. However, based on the Law on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, Canadian citizens are not permitted to enter Vietnam under visa exemption.

How to apply for a Vietnam visa in Canada?

Officially, there are 4 ways to apply for a Vietnam visa beforehand: 

• In-person at the Embassy’s office
• By regular mail
• By email
• Online

You are obligated to prepare the required documents according to one of the 4 ways you choose to apply for a Vietnam visa.

In-person at the Embassy

You need to directly submit your Vietnam visa application to the Vietnam Embassy’s office at 55 Mackay Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1M2B2 in three steps:

Step 1: Prepare the required documents as follow:

• Your passport with at least 06 months validity upon arrival in Vietnam, and at least 1 blank page left.
• A visa application form. Also, you may fill out the online application form.
• A color photo of yourself professionally taken recently.

Step 2: Make payments for the visa fee. You must pay in $US cash, $US bank draft payable to “The embassy of Vietnam” or fill in the credit card charge form.

Step 3: Get your Vietnam visa at the embassy after 5-7 working days.

Notes: 

• You may request friends, relatives, or representatives to apply on your behalf (no Authority of Attorney required).
• The visa will be stamped on your passport. Here’s a sample of the visa you would receive:

By regular mail

You can apply for a Vietnam visa through regular mail in four steps:

Step 1: Prepare the following documents:

• Your passport with at least 06 months validity upon arrival in Vietnam, and at least 1 blank page left.
• A visa application form. Also, you may fill out the online application form.
• A color photo of yourself professionally taken recently.

Step 2: Deliver your visa application documents to the Vietnam Embassy through post offices. You need to provide the recipient’s full name, a mailing address detailed with postal code, and a telephone/cellphone number in your application. 

Step3: Make payments for the visa fee. You must pay in $US cash, $US bank draft payable to “The embassy of Vietnam” or fill in the credit card charge form.

Step 4: Once your application is approved, the actual visa will be sent to you by mail. FedEx and Canada Post are the 2 official services delivering your visa. 

By email

For your convenience, applying through email is a great option. Just follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the following required documents:

• A scanned copy of your passport with at least 06 months validity upon arrival in Vietnam; at least 1 blank page left.
• A visa application form. Also, you may fill out the online application form.
• A digital or scanned color photo of yourself professionally taken recently.
• A credit card charge form. Note that you will be automatically charged with a 3% credit card transaction fee of the total amount of the visa cost.
• Your mailing address in Canada with postal code and unit number (if any).

Step 2: Email your visa application to visa@vietnamembassy.ca with the recipient’s full name, a mailing address detailed with postal code, and a telephone/cellphone number in your application email.

Step 3: The visa will be sent to you by mail once your application is approved and proceeded.  

Notes:

• A reference number will be given to you by a confirmation email when the application is received and processed by the embassy. The reference number helps you check your visa status online. Consider contacting the Embassy’s office if the confirmation email doesn’t arrive within 3 working days after sending your visa application.
• Multiple applicants applying to the embassy together in the same email can receive the visas in the same package.

Online

Applying for a Vietnam visa online is the most convenient and time-saving way in four simple steps.

Step 1: Fill the Vietnam visa online application form and upload a scanned copy of your passport and a visa photo.

Step 2: Make online payment for the visa fee.

Step 3: Have your visa delivered by FedEx and Canada Post after 5-7 working days.

Notes: Don't forget to check out information about Vietnam visa renewal and extension in case you wish to extend the validity of your current Vietnam visa.

What are the fees of applying for a Vietnam visa in Canada?

The tourist visa fee for Canadian is listed as follow:

• 1-month single-entry visa: $19
• 1-month multiple-entry visa: $24
• 3-month single-entry visa: $45
• 3-month multiple-entry visa: $55

For detailed information on the fees for other types of visa, visit our Vietnam visa fee page.

Apart from the visa application cost, an additional 3% transaction fee of the total amount will be charged to you automatically when making credit card payments. 

Once authorized, you will receive your actual visa by mail with a shipping fee charged as follow:

• Canada Post: The shipping fee is $25 per package with delivery time within 2-5 working days. 
• FedEx: The shipping fee $35 per package, and your visa is shipped on the next business day. 

Additional shipping cost is charged in remote areas for both services.

Notes: FedEx service is recommended for urgent documents delivery due to Canada Post occasional delay in delivery.

How can a Canadian citizen obtain a Vietnam visa while living in a country/region with no Vietnamese embassies?

If you happen to live in a country/region that doesn’t have any Vietnam Embassies, the possible choices are applying for a Vietnam Visa On Arrival or E-visa. Applying for the e-visa is not included in the Vietnam Embassy in Canada’s responsibility. It is in the authority of the Vietnam Immigration Department in Vietnam. So neither you have been familiar with the e-visa procedure nor have a representative who also has the experience to help you with the application process, it can cost you time and money to obtain the visa.

Visa2Asia hasn’t had the e-visa service, but we have experience in getting many of our clients to obtain the Vietnam visa upon arrival. A team with a deep understanding of Vietnam Law, culture, and customs can help you to get the approval letter for the visa on arrival. It won’t take you much time and money. Call us or apply instantly!

Applying for a Vietnam visa on arrival

Vietnam Visa on arrival (VOA) is a special method allowing you to get a qualified visa at the arrival airport upon entry into Vietnam. VVOA is a much more convenient and time-saving way to obtain a visa than regular processes since most steps are carried out at the airport of entry. 

Click here for more details about applying for a Vietnam visa on arrival. 

COVID-19 updates

To battle the complicated COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Vietnam has taken all necessary measures including:

• Cancelation of visa issuing and visa exemption to all foreign citizens from March 18, 2020 until further notices.
• Temporary halt in all foreigners entering Vietnam from March 22, 2020 until further notices.

Meanwhile, new COVID-19 cases have been reported in a few regions in the North of Vietnam since the beginning of 2021. Therefore, the Vietnam Government has put those virus-affected regions under strict control to prevent the spreading of the virus within the country.

Once the pandemic is under control, Vietnam will reopen and welcome visitors around the world again. We will keep you posted. In the meantime, check out Visa2Asia for more information on Vietnam visa services.

In the 90s, the Vietnam Government started establishing agreements of visa exemption with several neighboring countries. Since then, Vietnam has continued with many other nations around the world.

The visa exemption policy not only gives Vietnam the benefit of diplomacy but also boosts the economy of Vietnam through foreign investments. This article will provide you with up to date insights about Vietnam Visa Exemption.

What is Vietnam Visa Exemption?

Vietnam visa exemption, also known as the 5-year Vietnam visa exemption, allows you to enter Vietnam without a visa for a certain period of time. While the visa exemption period is still valid, you are not required to pay for the visa application fee. 

All Vietnamese residing abroad, and foreigners who are spouses and children of Vietnamese overseas, or citizens of Vietnam are eligible for a Vietnam visa exemption.

When you enter Vietnam under visa exemption, you can stay for a specific period of time per entry. However, your temporary duration can be extended.

Notes:

• If you enter Vietnam under visa exemption, you are allowed to stay for a maximum of 180 days (6 months) per visit.
• If you wish to stay longer than 180 days, you can extend the duration of stay in Vietnam for a maximum period of another 180 days. 

Conditions for Vietnam Visa Exemption

To be eligible for Vietnam Visa Exemption, you are required to:

• Hold a passport or equivalent travel document that is valid for at least 1 year up to the date of entry into Vietnam.
• Have documents proving you are a Vietnamese residing abroad, or a spouse or a child of Vietnamese overseas, or Vietnamese citizens. 
• Not fall into one of the specified cases in Article 21 or Article 28 of the Law on entry, exit, transits residence of foreigners in Vietnam. 

Which foreign citizens can enter Vietnam without a visa?

Currently, the Vietnam Government has agreed to let citizens from 88 countries be exempted from visas when entering Vietnam. However, not all passport holders from those countries are exempted from the Vietnam visa. The exemption will be based on the type of passport.

For example, if you are from India, you must hold an Indian diplomatic/official passport to be exempted from Vietnam Visas. As for regular passport holders, Vietnam has only made the visa exemption agreement with 24 countries. For more details, check out this list.

To be eligible for the Vietnam visa exemption, you are required to apply for a Certificate of Vietnam Visa Exemption. There are two cases of Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate:

• People who are not required to have a certificate of Vietnam Visa Exemption.
• People who need one to enter Vietnam under visa exemption. 

If your nationality is listed in the 88 countries that are exempted from a Vietnam visa, and you hold a diplomatic passport, then you will fall into the first case.

In case of being required to own a Vietnam Visa Exemption certificate, you have to either be:

• A Vietnamese residing abroad.
• A wife/husband/daughter/son of a Vietnamese residing abroad, or a Vietnamese citizen.

What cases cannot enter Vietnam on visa exemption?

According to Article 21 of the Law on Immigration and Residence of foreigners in Vietnam, to enter Vietnam under visa exemption, you must not fall into one of the following cases of being banned or suspended from entering Vietnam:

• Not meeting the regulations of Article 20, Section 1 of the Law on Immigration and Residence of foreigners in Vietnam.
• Children under 14 years old entering Vietnam without parents or legal guardians.
• Forging documents, and giving misleading information when applying for visas.
• Persons suffering from mental illnesses or infectious diseases that endanger public health.
• Expelled from Vietnam less than 3 years since the effective date of the expulsion decision made by Vietnam authorities.
• Forced to exit Vietnam less than 6 months since the effective date of the decision.
• Due to the prevention and control of a pandemic. 
• Due to natural disaster reasons.
• Due to national defense, social security, and special safety reasons.

What is the maximum validity period of the Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate?

As stated in Article 4 of the Law on Immigration and Residence of foreigners in Vietnam, the maximum validity period of the Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate is 5 years. 

However, the Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate is valid for 6 months less than the expiration date of your passport/travel document, if your passport/travel document’s validity is less than 5 years by the submission time for Vietnam visa exemption. Having said that, you can still apply for a 5-year Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate but only for special prescribed cases.

What are the official forms of the Vietnam Visa Exemption certificate?

The Vietnam Government has officially issued 2 forms of the visa exemption certificate: 

1) The stamped certificate which is sticked on the holder’s passport. This visa exemption form is granted to Vietnamese overseas and foreigners entering Vietnam.

2) The separate certificate in booklet form about the size of a passport. This visa exemption form is granted to Vietnamese overseas with permanent residence issued by the foreign country of residence, and citizens from nations that don’t establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

What are the required documents to apply for a Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate?

In order to apply for a Vietnam visa exemption, you have to go to one of the Vietnam Embassies to apply for one or send the required documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department in Vietnam. You need to prepare one set of the following documents:

To Vietnamese that is living overseas: 

• Your valid passport or equivalent travel paper or residence permit issued by the authorities of your country of residence. 
• A Vietnam Visa Exemption application form. 
• Two 2×2 inches or 4×6 cm photos taken recently.
• Documents issued by the Vietnam Government proving that you are eligible for a Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate. (Article 6 of the Law on Immigration and Residence of foreigners in Vietnam).
• One certified copy or original version of one of these following papers:
• Birth certification
• Proof of abandonment of Vietnamese citizenship
• Certificate of loss Vietnamese citizenship
• Proof of Vietnamese origin or valid documents proving your previous Vietnamese nationality 

To the spouse or child of a Vietnamese who is living overseas or a citizen of Vietnam:

• Your valid passport or equivalent travel paper. 
• A Vietnam Visa Exemption application form. 
• Two 2×2 inches (or 4×6 cm) photos taken recently.
• Documents proving you are a foreign spouse or child of Vietnamese overseas or Vietnamese citizens.

How to extend the temporary for foreign citizens who have the Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate?

If you are eligible for the Vietnam visa exemption but fall into one of the cases that need a Vietnam Visa Exemption certificate, the temporary duration is stated on the certificate. The duration can be extended for 6 more months. To extend the temporary duration, you must prepare a set of the following required documents:

• A valid passport or equivalent document.
• A temporary residence extension application form.
• The Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate.

If you have any concern regarding the extension procedures, you can contact directly to the Vietnam Immigration Department to ask for guidance:

• Headquarter of The Vietnam Immigration Department in Hanoi:
  • 02438260922 (For overseas Vietnamese).
  • 02438264026 (For other foreigners).

• Representative office of The Vietnam Immigration Department in Ho Chi Minh City
  • 0839201701 (For overseas Vietnamese).
  • 039200365 (For other foreigners).

What are the required documents to apply for the Vietnam Visa Exemption Renewal?

If your Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate is lost, ruined, expired, or required adjustment, you can apply for a Vietnam Visa Exemption Renewal. 

In case of renewing the certificate at the same place where you first applied (the same Vietnam Embassy or Vietnam Immigration Department), you just need to fill in an application form. There is no need to submit any other documents because your information has been stored from last time.

For renewing at a different embassy or a different Vietnam Immigration Department in Vietnam, you must prepare a new set of documents according to Article 9, Section 2 of the Law on Immigration and Residence of foreigners in Vietnam. Make sure to prepare the following documents:

• A valid passport or equivalent traveling papers.
• An application form for renewing the visa exemption certificate plus two 2×2 inches (4×6 cm) photos.
• The visa exemption certificate or a legal paper to prove that you have lost the certificate.
• If you want to change some information on the visa exemption certificate, you must have a certified copy of legal papers in which stated the changing information (you can bring along the original legal papers).

Automatic extension of temporary residence in Vietnam under visa exemption during the COVID-19 pandemic

In 2020, during the first outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vietnam Government has limited foreigners entering Vietnam. Those who had entered Vietnam before and on March 1st, 2020 were automatically allowed to continue to stay in Vietnam until June 30th, 2020. During this time, the temporary duration was “automatically extended”, and foreigners only had to report their stay and medical condition.

There hasn’t been any announcement about extending the duration of temporary residence in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. As long as there are updates, we will inform you immediately. Visit Visa2Asia to not miss a thing.

What to know more about Vietnam Visa Exemption?

• Holders of British National Oversea (BNO) passports are not exempted from any Vietnam visa. In this case, you must obtain a valid visa to enter Vietnam.
• If you own a valid foreign passport, you can enter Phu Quoc island under visa exemption for a maximum of 30 days. This is also applicable to the case where you have to transit through other international airports in Vietnam before entering Phu Quoc island.
• If you are from the 13 countries that only have the unilateral visa exemption agreement with Vietnam, you are exempted from visa requirements upon entry into Vietnam for a duration of stay not exceeding 15 days per entry. 
• If you hold an ABTC (APEC Business Travel Card), you are allowed to stay in Vietnam without a valid visa for a  maximum duration of 90 days per entry.

What to do if you aren’t exempted from Vietnam Visas?

Not qualified for the Vietnam visa exemption? Visa2Asia is here to help you get a Vietnam visa on arrival easily and quickly in accordance with your traveling purpose. We also offer visa on arrival (VOA) services so that you can get your visa at the arrival airport. Contact us and apply now!